New Computer Problems ??? Please Help!

codedmart

I am outting together a new computer this is the hardware:

Elitegroup n2u400-a motherboard
athlon-xp 2600+
PNY verto geforce effects 5200 agp
cd-rom
cd-burner
floppy drive
18 gb western digital hd

I have never done this before so I am lost. I fire up the computer and the motherboard book says

ectospasm · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:54 am Post subject:

If you search your motherboard manual, you should be able to find a table of POST beeps. The exact pattern of beep will tell you what might be going wrong. For instance, my old motherboard manual (for an Asus P4T with an Award BIOS) says this:

One short beep when displaying logo: No error during POST
Long beeps in an endless loop: No DRAM installed or detected
One long beep followed by three short beeps: Video card not found or video card memory bad
High frequency beeps when system is working: CPU overheated, System running at a lower frequency

Unfortunately my current motherboard manual (MSI Master2-FAR, with a Phoenix BIOS I think) doesn't have such a list.

YMMV
_________________
Join the adopt an unanswered post initiative today
Join the EFF!
Join the Drug Policy Alliance!

codedmart · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:01 am Post subject:

Mine doesn't have that either. Guess it time search the net some more.

Any other thoughts thanks

ectospasm · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

Another thing is those beeps tend to be pretty standard. If you know the make of you BIOS, you can try this list of error codes:
http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml

I make no claims as to the accuracy of those. Here's the google I used to find it:

http://www.google.com/search?q=pc+boot+beep+error&sourceid=firefox&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
_________________
Join the adopt an unanswered post initiative today
Join the EFF!
Join the Drug Policy Alliance!

codedmart · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:51 pm Post subject:

I think I have narrowed it down to either the video card or the ram. not sure which yet.

thanks

codedmart · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:52 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure it is not the video card. How can I check the ram to see if that is the problem. I only have one desktop computer. I tried to read the beep guide on phoenix bios but all the beeps sound the same(meaning I don't hear any difference in the pauses)and it just keeps beeping about 7 seconds apart.

Thanks

ectospasm · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject:

Best bet is to take the RAM to a shop where they can test it. If you bought the parts from a local store they should have support facilities where they can test it, most likely under warranty.
_________________
Join the adopt an unanswered post initiative today
Join the EFF!
Join the Drug Policy Alliance!

codedmart · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 1:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks ectospasm it turns out it was the ram. This is my first computer that I have built so I was freaked thinking that I really screwed something up. No harm done.